The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking

First Year As A Truck Driver: How to deal with dispatch, and get help on the road

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Your dispatcher, or "driver manager", is going to play a pivotal role in your success as a driver. He or she will be the one assigning you loads, and the more your DM trusts you, the longer and better paying loads you will get.

For the first year of your driving career, you will still be proving yourself. Initially, your dispatcher will be breaking you in to see how you handle the job.

Truck driving, especially in the first year, is an industry where you "pay your dues". Your job is to learn how to be safe, efficient, and reliable, and getting along with your management team will pay off down the road.

How important is a good relationship with your dispatcher?

If you want to succeed as a new driver, a good relationship with your dispatcher is pretty darn important. You'll need to prove that you are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, and that you are capable of of doing it safely and efficiently.

Where do new drivers go to for help or assistance?

We generally recommend that new drivers don't "rock the boat" if at all possible, but sometimes things spiral out of control and everyone needs some help or advice on occasion. Keeping lines of communication open and honest with your company will give you your best chance of success.

Additionally, new drivers needing advice or mentoring come to TruckingTruth.com. It's what we do.

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